Relax, Refresh your English knowledge 143
594. What is the meaning of `parochial'? How is the word pronounced?
The `a' is like the `a' in `china', and the following `o' sounds like the `o' in `go', `so' and `no'. The `ch' is like the `k' in `king', `kiss', and `kit', and the final `ial' is like the `ial' in `matrimonial' and `ceremonial'.. The main stress is on the second syllable. Did you watch the one-day match between India and South Africa played in Kolkata? People in the crowd were booing the Indian players because the so-called `Prince of Kolkata' had been left out of the Indian team. The crowd was parochial in its outlook. When you say that someone is parochial, what you mean is that he is very narrow minded. In the one-day match, the spectators gave the impression that they were more interested in the fortunes of their `dada', rather than that of the Indian team. The word has a negative connotation. Kim has a very parochial attitude. I don't want him as a team member. Many of the political parties are very parochial in their outlook.
595. Is it OK to say, `The President Abdul Kalam visited Chennai last week'?
If you want to include an individual's name with titles like `Queen', `King', `Prime Minister' and `President', then you normally don't use the definite article `the'. For example, we do not say, `The Queen Elizabeth drank coffee'. We can either say, `The Queen drank coffee' or `Queen Elizabeth
drank coffee'. Your sentence is therefore wrong. You can either say, `The President visited Chennai last week' or `President Abdul Kalam visited Chennai last week.'
596. Why do we call the place where the police work a `station'?
A `station' is a place where some service is organised and provided. This is one of the meanings of the word. Since policemen and firemen provide service for the common man, the place where they work is called a `station'
597. How is the word `fragile' pronounced?
The Americans and British pronounce this word very differently. The British pronounce the `i' like the `y' in `my' and `by'. The Americans, on the other hand, pronounce it like the `a' in `china'. In both cases, the final `e' is silent, and the main stress is on the first syllable. "Never learn to do anything: If you don't learn, you'll always find someone else who'll do it for you." — Mark Twain
A collection from the Open Page Supplement of The Hindu Newspaper
Courtesy: Sri Upendra, the writer of the above
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